A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type

ABSTRACT

A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal slit, in which slit at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for a rod-like extension of an oscillating arm, wherein said rod-like extension can be pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis near a free end thereof, wherein said connecting device comprises a first part and a second part, wherein said rod-like extension of said oscillating arm can be pivotally connected to said first part about said pivot axis, with the interposition of said second part, wherein said first part is connected to said wiper blade and said second part is pivotally (preferably also detachably) connected onto said first part, wherein said second part comprises a channel arranged to receive said free end of said rod-like extension, with the special feature that said windscreen wiper device comprises a housing for said rod-like extension, wherein said housing is arranged to be connected to said second part, and wherein said housing comprises a channel to receive said rod-like extension, said channel of said housing in mounted position being co-axial with said channel of said second part.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national stage entry of InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP2020/058989 filed on Mar. 30, 2020. InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP2020/058989 is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

A windscreen wiper device is generally known. This prior art windscreenwiper device is designed as a so-called “flat blade” or “yokelessblade”, wherein no use is made of several yokes pivotally connected toeach other, but wherein the wiper blade is biased by the carrierelement, as a result of which it exhibits a specific curvature. Adisadvantage of the known windscreen wiper device is that it is oftenused in combination with a nozzle fixedly mounted on (or below) a bonnetof a car for spraying a washing liquid onto the car's windscreen to bewiped. In practice it has become apparent that the windscreen cannoteffectively be cleaned by a combination of the oscillating arm and thenozzle, as the nozzle emits the washing fluid thereon at a largedistance relative to the windscreen, so that a relatively large amountof the washing fluid does not effectively reach a wiping pattern on thewindscreen to be wiped. Further, it has become apparent that in theprior art a large amount of liquid (consumption) is required in anattempt to clean the windscreen to be wiped. Further, if the washingfluid is spread onto the car's body instead of onto the windscreen to bewiped, it may damage the car. Indeed, ethanol, methanol and othercomponents of the washing fluid are believed to have a corrosive effecton paint, rubber, car wax and plastics, for example. In order toovercome this disadvantage, it has been proposed to mount the nozzleonto the oscillating arm, so that the use (and replacement) of a simpleand inexpensive wiper blade is also assured. However, mounting thenozzle onto the oscillating arm has the disadvantage that aerodynamicproperties of the interconnection between the wiper blade and therod-like extension are negatively influenced.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a windscreen wiper device of the flatblade type comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well asan elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed inabutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes atleast one longitudinal slit, in which slit at least one longitudinalstrip of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper devicecomprises a connecting device for a rod-like extension of an oscillatingarm, wherein the rod-like extension can be pivotally connected to saidconnecting device about a pivot axis near one end thereof, wherein saidconnecting device comprises a first part and a second part, wherein saidrod-like extension of said oscillating arm can be pivotally connected tosaid first part about said pivot axis, with the interposition of saidsecond part, wherein said first part is connected to said wiper bladeand said second part is pivotally connected to said first part, whereinsaid second part comprises a channel arranged to receive said free endof said rod-like extension. Said longitudinal strip is also called a“flexor”, while said connecting device is also indicated as a“connector”. The slit may be open or closed. Preferably, said secondpart is also detachably connected to said first part.

Preferably, said wiper blade comprises a spoiler at a side thereoffacing away from the windscreen to be wiped. The spoiler is also calledan “air deflector” and is preferably made in one piece with said wiperblade through extrusion. Said longitudinal slit is preferably a centrallongitudinal slit accommodating said longitudinal strip. Said connectingdevice is preferably fixedly connected to the longitudinal strip(s)particularly through a welding, brazing (“soldering”), gluing orclamping operation or with the help of a pin inserted through saidconnecting device and said longitudinal strip(s). In the alternative orin addition thereto, said connecting device is clamped onto the flexiblematerial of the wiper blade, particularly in case the latter is equippedwith a central longitudinal slit for the carrier element. In thealternative or in addition thereto, said connecting device comprises agroove for accommodating said wiper blade and/or said longitudinalstrip(s), wherein said groove comprises retention means for retainingsaid connecting device in place.

In use, said oscillating arm is connected to a mounting head mounted ona drive shaft, wherein said oscillating arm at one end thereof ispivotally connected to the mounting head by means of a pivot pin and atanother end thereof is connected to said wiper blade placed in abutmentwith said windscreen to be wiped. In use, the shaft rotates alternatelyin a clockwise and in a counter-clockwise sense carrying the mountinghead into rotation also, which in turn draws the oscillating arm intorotation and by means of said connecting device moves the wiper blade.Said oscillating arm can thus oscillate to-and-from between first andsecond reversal positions.

The present invention also relates to a connecting device arranged foruse in such a windscreen wiper device.

It is noted that the present invention is not restricted to automobiles,but also refers to rail coaches and other (fast) vehicles.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved windscreen wiperdevice, wherein these disadvantages are obviated, in the sense that atminimum costs—without using complex machinery and additional tools—anaerodynamic, but reliable and controllable interconnection between thewiper blade and the rod-like extension is realized, also in the eventthat a nozzle is mounted on the oscillating arm. More in particular, anobject of the present invention is to propose an improved windscreenwiper device, wherein the oscillating arm and the nozzle are wellintegrated in the design of the arm, and wherein the aerodynamicperformances of the arm are improved.

In order to accomplish that objective, a windscreen wiper device of thetype referred to in the introduction is characterized according to theinvention in that said windscreen wiper device comprises a housing forsaid rod-like extension, wherein said housing is arranged to beconnected to said second part, and wherein said housing comprises achannel to receive said rod-like extension, said channel of said housingin mounted position being co-axial with said channel of said secondpart. Hence, as the second part is reinforced over its entire length bythe rod-like extension, a rigid and low (i.e. aerodynamic)interconnection between the wiper blade and the rod-like extension ismade possible. Said channels of said second part and of said housingpreferably have a closed circumference.

Preferably, said channel of said second part and said channel of saidhousing each have a length and a width, and wherein a plane extending ina direction of the width of each channel and a plane extending throughsaid longitudinal strip along a width thereof at the location of theconnecting device enclose an angle α, wherein preferably 15°<α<60°. Inother words, in a transverse or cross-section of the windscreen wiperdevice, a centre line of the cross-sectional plane of each channelencloses the angle α with a symmetry axis of said longitudinal groove.Because of the angle α less pressure by the oscillating arm on the wiperblade is necessary to maintain high velocity wiping performances.

In the framework of the present invention said oscillating arm isequipped with said rod-like extension preferably having a substantiallyrectangular cross-section, wherein said extension is to be inserted inthe channels of the connecting device and of the housing, and whereinsaid extension has a twisted orientation relative to the oscillating armpreferably having a U-shaped cross-section. Such a twisted arm extensionhas proven to considerably improve an air flow, to considerably reduce aheight of the windscreen wiper device, whereas its design is attractivefrom a commercial perspective. Said channels preferably having arectangular cross-section as well, have a possible twisted orientationcorresponding to the twisted orientation of the arm extension in orderto accommodate said arm extension during use. In other words, a bottomof each channel does not extend parallel to a windscreen to be wiped(when the oscillating arm in one of said reversal positions is in acentral region of the windscreen to be wiped and disregarding any smallcurvature thereof in that region), but said bottom and said windscreento be wiped enclose said angle α in that region.

It is noted that the present invention is not restricted to the use ofonly one longitudinal strip forming the elastic carrier element that isparticularly located in a central longitudinal slit or groove of thewiper blade. Instead, said carrier element may also comprise twolongitudinal strips, wherein said strips are disposed in oppositelongitudinal slits/grooves of the wiper blade. Said slit(s)/groove(s)may be closed at one outer end.

In a preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordancewith the invention said housing and said second part are arranged to beinterconnected by sliding said housing onto said second part inlongitudinal direction of said rod-like extension. Particularly, saidchannel of said second part is arranged to receive said free end of saidrod-like extension upon sliding said housing onto said second part. Morein particular, said second part is located inside said housing, i.e. issurrounded by said housing, after sliding said housing onto said secondpart. This means that said second part is invisible from the outside.Hence, the second part is reinforced over its entire length by therod-like extension and the housing, so that a very rigid interconnectionis obtained. This would result in less stress and thus in less wear andplay.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention said second part and said housing are provided withmutually cooperating guiding means arranged to guide said housing ontosaid second part upon sliding said housing onto said second part.Particularly, said guiding means comprise a longitudinally extendingguiding rib on an outer surface of said second part arranged to slideinside a guiding groove on an inner surface of said housing. In thealternative or in addition thereto, said guiding means comprise alaterally inwardly bend edge of a top wall of said housing arranged toslide behind a laterally outwardly extending edge of a side wall of saidsecond part.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention said second part comprises a resilienttongue arranged to engage into a hole of said housing, and wherein saidresilient tongue is hingeable along a hinge axis between an inwardposition retaining said wiper blade onto said rod-like extension and anoutward position releasing said wiper blade from said rod-likeextension. Said resilient tongue is preferably located near a free endof said second part facing away from said rod-like extension. Thus, whensliding the housing over the second part, the resilient tongue is notdeformed until this sliding movement is (nearly) finished, so thatfitting the wiper blade onto the rod-like extension is also notdisturbed until then. Preferably, said housing has an U-shapedcross-section at the location of its connection to said second part, andwherein a base of said U-shaped cross-section is provided with saidhole.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention said hole has a closed circumference.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention said first part and said second part areprovided with mutually cooperating pivot means for pivotally connectingsaid second part to said first part. Particularly, said second part isconnected to said first part by pivotally engaging protuberances of saidfirst part, at the location of said pivot axis, in recesses provided insaid second part. Said protuberances are particularly mutually spacedfar apart, so as to reduce angular play and to reduce wear.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention said windscreen wiper device comprises first and secondretention means for retaining said wiper blade onto said rod-likeextension/housing, wherein said first retention means comprises saidresilient tongue on said second part and said hole in said housing,wherein said second retention means comprises at least one first stopsurface provided on said first part and at least one second stop surfaceprovided on said housing, both stop surfaces being spaced apart duringnormal operation of said windscreen wiper device, and wherein in case ofmalfunctioning of said first retention means, said first part is allowedto move with respect to said housing causing the first stop surface tocorrespondingly move towards the second sop surface until the first andsecond stop surfaces are adjacent one another to block in mountedposition any movement of said wiper blade relative to said housing in alongitudinal direction away from said rod-like extension. In case thesefirst retaining means would fail in actual practice, for example whenthe resilient tongue is not properly snapped into the hole, the secondretaining means would serve to hold the wiper blade onto the housingafter all and thus to avoid any undesired separation thereof, with allnegative consequences involved, such as lost of the wiper blade. In theevent that the first retaining means would break down, the wiper bladeand the connecting device attached thereto may move relative to therod-like extension. As explained, such a movement takes place inlongitudinal direction of the wiper blade, causing the first stopsurface (provided on the first part of the connecting device) to movetowards the second stop surface (provided on the housing for therod-like extension) in a similar way. However, said relative movement ofthe wiper blade and the rod-like extension and thus the relativemovement of both stop surfaces are blocked when the first stop surfacereaches the second stop surface and is stopped by the second stopsurface. Said first part preferably comprises a laterally outwardlyextending protrusion comprising said first stop surface, wherein saidhousing comprises a downwardly extending protrusion comprising saidsecond stop surface, and wherein in mounted position said protrusionsabut each other to block said movement.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention, by pivoting said first part relative tosaid housing, said first and second stop surfaces are prevented fromabutting one another, so that the wiper blade can be released from saidrod-like extension. In other words, in such a pivoted position the stopsurfaces are no longer in line and cannot cooperate any longer.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention said first and said second parts are eachmade in one piece of plastic material.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention a nozzle is mounted onto said housing, wherein saidnozzle is arranged to spray a cleaning liquid onto the windscreen to bewiped.

The present invention also relates to a housing for a rod-like extensionof an oscillating arm arranged for use in such a windscreen wiperdevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference tofigures illustrated in a drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a windscreen wiper device according tothe invention, in (partly) disassembled position;

FIG. 2 illustrates in a first step how a wiper blade of the windscreenwiper device of FIG. 1 is mounted to an oscillating arm thereof;

FIG. 3 illustrates in a second step how a wiper blade of the windscreenwiper device of FIG. 1 is mounted to an oscillating arm thereof;

FIG. 4A illustrates in a third step how a wiper blade of the windscreenwiper device of FIG. 1 is mounted to an oscillating arm thereof;

FIG. 4B illustrates in a fourth step how a wiper blade of the windscreenwiper device of FIG. 1 is mounted to an oscillating arm thereof;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cut away view of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 6 illustrates in a first step how a wiper blade of the windscreenwiper device of FIG. 1 is dismounted from an oscillating arm thereof;

FIG. 7 illustrates in a second step how a wiper blade of the windscreenwiper device of FIG. 1 is dismounted from an oscillating arm thereof;

FIG. 8 illustrates in a third step how a wiper blade of the windscreenwiper device of FIG. 1 is dismounted from an oscillating arm thereof;

FIG. 9A is a perspective front view of the windscreen wiper device ofFIG. 1 in assembled position;

FIG. 9B is a perspective front view of the windscreen wiper device ofFIG. 1 partly in a cross-sectional view; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 10 refer to a windscreen wiper device 1 of the flat bladetype in accordance with the invention, built up of a wiper blade 2, inthe longitudinal sides of which opposing longitudinal slits 3 areformed, and of longitudinal strips 4 (“flexors”) made of spring bandsteel, which are fitted in said longitudinal slits 3. Said strips 4 forma flexible carrier element for the rubber wiper blade 2, as it were,which is thus biased in a curved position (the curvature in operativeposition being that of a windscreen to be wiped). As shown in FIGS. 1through 8 , the windscreen wiper device 1 is furthermore built up of aconnecting device 5 of plastic material for a rod-like extension 6 of awindscreen wiper arm 7. Said connecting device 5 comprises a first part8 and a second part 9 acting as a joint part, wherein said rod-likeextension 6 can be pivotally connected to said first part 8 about saidpivot axis, with the interposition of said second part 9. With referenceto FIGS. 5 through 8 , said first part 8 comprises inwardly extendinglegs 10 integral therewith engaging around longitudinal sides of thewiper blade 2, at the location of said grooves 3, as a result of whichthe first part 8 is firmly attached to the unit consisting of the wiperblade 2 and the strips 4. Said first part 8 comprises two cylindricalprotuberances 11,12 extending outwardly. These protuberances 11,12pivotally engage, at the location of said pivot axis, in identicallyshaped recesses 13,14 provided in opposite walls 15,16 of the secondpart 9. Hence, said second part 9 is connected to said first part 8through a snapping/clipping operation. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 ,said windscreen wiper device 1 further comprises a housing 17 arrangedto accommodate said rod-like extension 6.

With reference to FIGS. 5, 9A, 9B, and 10 said second part 9 comprises achannel 18 arranged to receive (in a linear movement) said rod-likeextension 6 of said oscillating arm 7, whereas said housing 17 also hasa channel 19 for accommodating said rod-like extension 6. Both channels18,19 are co-axial. As shown, said channels 18,19 each have a length anda width, and wherein a plane extending in a direction of the width ofsaid channel and a plane extending through said longitudinal strip alonga width thereof at the location of the connecting device enclose anangle α=40°.

As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5 , said housing 17 and said second part 9are arranged to be interconnected by sliding said housing 17 onto saidsecond part 9 in longitudinal direction of said rod-like extension 6,wherein said channel 18 of said second part 9 is arranged to receivesaid free end of said rod-like extension 6 upon sliding said housing 17onto said second part 2. In assembled position (FIG. 6 ) said secondpart 9 is invisible from the outside inside said housing 17 aftersliding said housing 17 onto said second part 9. In this assembledposition a resilient tongue 20 on the second part 9 engages into a hole21 in the housing 17. More precisely, said housing has a U-shapedcross-section at the location of its connection to the second part 9 anda base of said U-shaped cross-section comprises said hole 21. Theresilient tongue 20 and the hole 21 together act as first retentionmeans in this case, i.e. to retain the unit consisting of the wiperblade 2 and the connecting device 5 onto the housing 17 and thus alsoonto the rod-like extension 6. Said resilient tongue 20 is hingeable(i.e. can pivot) along a hinge axis between an inward position retainingsaid second part 9 (together with the first part 8 and the wiper blade 2attached thereon) onto said rod-like extension 6, and an outwardposition releasing second part 9 (together with the first part 8 and thewiper blade 2 attached thereon) from said rod-like extension 6. Saidresilient tongue is hingeable (i.e. activated and deactivated) from saidinward position into said outward position by a hand, as if it were apush button. This is a so-called bayonet connection.

In case of any unforeseen failure of the bayonet connection acting asfirst retention means, second retention means are provided for. Thesesecond retention means comprise in this case mutually cooperatingprotrusions of said first part 8 and said housing 17 that are arrangedto block in mounted position (FIG. 6 ) any movement of said wiper blade2 relative to said housing 17 in a longitudinal direction away from saidrod-like extension 6. More in particular, said first part 8 comprises alaterally outwardly extending protrusion 22, whereas said housing 17comprises a downwardly extending protrusion 23. In case ofmalfunctioning of said first retention means, in mounted position saidprotrusion 22 on said first part 8 is able to move in longitudinaldirection towards said protrusion 23 on said housing 17 until theseprotrusions 22,23 abut one another to block said movement inlongitudinal direction away from said rod-like extension 6. Any movementof said wiper blade 2 relative to said housing 17 in a longitudinaldirection towards said rod-like extension 6 is blocked by said channel18 of said second part 9 and said channel 19 of said housing 17 abuttingeach other. As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 , for dismounting theconnecting device 5 from the rod-like extension 6, the second part 9(and thus the free end of the rod-like extension 6 connected thereto),is pivoted relative to the first part 8. While carrying out the pivotmovement, the protrusions 22,23 are not longer in line with each other,so that the second part 9 and the first part 8 attached thereto can bereleased from the housing 17/rod-like extension 6, of course after theresilient tongue 19 has been pushed in. As far as mounting is concerned,while carrying out the pivot movement, the protrusions 22,23 are in linewith each other, so that the second part 9 and the first part 8 attachedthereto is retained onto the rod-like extension 26 (working position).The mutually cooperating protrusions 22,23 act as second retention meansin case first retention means, as explained above, would inadvertentlyfail. Said channel 19 of said housing 17 comprises a tab 24 pivotalbetween a closed position arranged to snappingly engage into a recess 25provided on a longitudinal exterior side 26 of said rod-like extension6, and an open position (FIG. 5 ) arranged to disengage from said recess25.

As depicted in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10 , said second part 9 and saidhousing 17 are provided with mutually cooperating guiding means arrangedto guide said housing 17 onto said second part 9 upon sliding saidhousing 17 onto said second part 9. More in particular, said guidingmeans comprise a longitudinally extending guiding rib 27 on an outersurface of said second part 9 arranged to slide inside a guiding groove28 on an inner surface of said housing 17. The guiding means alsocomprise a laterally inwardly bend edge 29 of a top wall of said housing17 arranged to slide behind a laterally outwardly extending edge 30 of aside wall of said second part 9 (FIG. 10 ).

Optionally, the housing 17 is equipped with a nozzle 31 arranged tospray cleaning liquid onto a windscreen to be wiped. The nozzle 31 ispreferably fixed to a leg of the U-shaped cross-section of said housing17 that in use faces away from a downward reversal position of theoscillating arm 7. In the prior art a windscreen wiper device is oftenused in combination with a nozzle fixedly mounted on (or below) a bonnetof a car for spraying a washing liquid onto the car's windscreen to bewiped. In practice it has become apparent that the windscreen cannoteffectively be cleaned by a combination of the oscillating arm and thenozzle, as the nozzle emits the washing fluid thereon at a largedistance relative to the windscreen, so that a relatively large amountof the washing fluid does not effectively reach a wiping pattern on thewindscreen to be wiped. Further, it has become apparent that in theprior art a large amount of liquid (consumption) is required in anattempt to clean the windscreen to be wiped. Further, if the washingfluid is spread onto the car's body instead of onto the windscreen to bewiped, it may dirty the car. Indeed, ethanol, methanol and othercomponents of the washing fluid are able to leave marks/spots on the carbody and plastics, for example. By now mounting the nozzle onto thehousing 17 a windscreen to be wiped can be effectively cleaned, withoutmaking parts of a car dirty, wherein less washing liquid is required toclean the windscreen to be wiped.

The invention is not restricted to the preferred embodiments shown inthe figures, but extends also to other preferred variants within thescope of the appended claims.

1. A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type comprising anelastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper bladeof a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with awindscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least onelongitudinal slit, in which slit at least one longitudinal strip of thecarrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises: aconnecting device for a rod-like extension of an oscillating arm,wherein said rod-like extension can be pivotally connected to saidconnecting device about a pivot axis near a free end thereof, whereinsaid connecting device comprises a first part and a second part, whereinsaid rod-like extension of said oscillating arm can be pivotallyconnected to said first part about said pivot axis, with theinterposition of said second part, wherein said first part is connectedto said wiper blade and said second part is pivotally connected ontosaid first part, wherein said second part comprises a channel arrangedto receive said free end of said rod-like extension, wherein saidwindscreen wiper device comprises a housing for said rod-like extension,wherein said housing is arranged to be connected to said second part,and wherein said housing comprises a channel to receive said rod-likeextension, said channel of said housing in mounted position beingco-axial with said channel of said second part.
 2. The windscreen wiperdevice according to claim 1, wherein said housing and said second partare arranged to be interconnected by sliding said housing onto saidsecond part in longitudinal direction of said rod-like extension.
 3. Thewindscreen wiper device according to claim 2, wherein said channel ofsaid second part is arranged to receive said free end of said rod-likeextension upon sliding said housing onto said second part.
 4. Thewindscreen wiper device according to claim 2, wherein said second partis located inside said housing after sliding said housing onto saidsecond part.
 5. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 2,wherein said second part and said housing are provided with mutuallycooperating guiding means arranged to guide said housing onto saidsecond part upon sliding said housing onto said second part.
 6. Thewindscreen wiper device according to claim 5, wherein said guiding meanscomprise a longitudinally extending guiding rib on an outer surface ofsaid second part arranged to slide inside a guiding groove on an innersurface of said housing.
 7. The windscreen wiper device according toclaim 5, wherein said guiding means comprise a laterally inwardly bendedge of a top wall of said housing arranged to slide behind a laterallyoutwardly extending edge of a side wall of said second part.
 8. Thewindscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said channel ofsaid second part and said channel of said housing each have a length anda width, and wherein a plane extending in a direction of the width ofeach channel and a plane extending through said longitudinal strip alonga width thereof at the location of the connecting device enclose anangle α, wherein preferably 15°<α<60°.
 9. The windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said second part comprises a resilienttongue arranged to engage into a hole of said housing, and wherein saidresilient tongue is hingeable along a hinge axis between an inwardposition retaining said wiper blade onto said rod-like extension and anoutward position releasing said wiper blade from said housing and saidrod-like extension.
 10. The windscreen wiper device according to claim9, wherein said resilient tongue is located near a free end of saidsecond part facing away from said rod-like extension.
 11. The windscreenwiper device according to claim 9, wherein said housing has an U-shapedcross-section at the location of its connection to said second part, andwherein a base of said U-shaped cross-section is provided with saidhole.
 12. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 9, wherein saidhole has a closed circumference.
 13. The windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein said windscreen wiper device comprisesfirst and second retention means for retaining said wiper blade ontosaid rod-like extension, wherein said first retention means comprisessaid resilient tongue on said second part and said hole in said housing,wherein said second retention means comprises at least one first stopsurface provided on said first part and at least one second stop surfaceprovided on said housing, both stop surfaces being spaced apart duringnormal operation of said windscreen wiper device, and wherein in case ofmalfunctioning of said first retention means, said first part is allowedto move with respect to said housing causing the first stop surface tocorrespondingly move towards the second stop surface until the first andsecond stop surfaces are adjacent one another to block in mountedposition any movement of said wiper blade relative to said housing in alongitudinal direction away from said rod-like extension.
 14. Thewindscreen wiper device according to claim 13, wherein said first partcomprises a laterally outwardly extending protrusion comprising saidfirst stop surface, wherein said housing comprises a downwardlyextending protrusion comprising said second stop surface.
 15. Thewindscreen wiper device according to claim 13, wherein, by pivoting saidfirst part relative to said housing, said first and second stop surfacesare prevented from abutting one another, so that the wiper blade can bereleased from said rod-like extension.
 16. The windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said channel of said second part and saidchannel of said housing in mounted position abut each other to block anymovement of said wiper blade relative to said housing in a longitudinaldirection towards said rod-like extension.
 17. The windscreen wiperdevice according to claim 1, wherein said channel of said housingcomprises a tab pivotal between a closed position arranged to snappinglyengage into a recess provided on a longitudinal exterior side of saidrod-like extension, and an open position arranged to disengage from saidrecess.
 18. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, whereinsaid first part and said second part are provided with mutuallycooperating pivot means for pivotally connecting said second part tosaid first part.
 19. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 18,wherein said second part is connected to said first part by pivotallyengaging protuberances of said first part, at the location of said pivotaxis, in recesses provided in said second part.
 20. The windscreen wiperdevice according to claim 1, wherein said second part is detachablyconnected to said first part through a snapping/clipping operation. 21.The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein a nozzle ismounted onto said housing.
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled)